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Category: Defense

  • Are The Nationals A Good Defensive Team?

    Are The Nationals A Good Defensive Team?

    Photo: Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire

    Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

    2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank:26th

    Team Strengths

    Jacob Young covers ground at a level that other center fielders can’t match. He led the position in the range component of Runs Saved last season, though his overall numbers dipped due to a high number of mishandled balls on base hits that allowed runners to advance.

    Trey Lipscomb is battling for a roster spot but if he’s on the team, he’s quite useful on the defensive side. He had 4 Runs Saved in 55 games at third base last year and has a good defensive history in the minor leagues. Same for middle infielder Nasim Nuñez.

    Team Weaknesses

    James Wood didn’t fare great in his first 79 games in left field and finished with -7 Runs Saved. 

    Luis Garcia has had -7 and -5 Runs Saved the last two seasons at second base. That’s better than his -17 at shortstop in 2022 but it’s still in need of improvement.

    Other Things To Know

    Dylan Crews got a 40 scouting grade for his defense from FanGraphs but had 3 Runs Saved in 30 games in right field last season. If he can outperform his scouting report, that would help the Nationals considerably.

    Shout-out to Keibert Ruiz for his defensive improvements, as he went from -5 and -14 Runs Saved in 2022 and 2023, respectively, to 2 Runs Saved in 2024. Holding that improvement would help the Nationals’ defensive projection as well.

    New first baseman Nathaniel Lowe has a Gold Glove to his credit, but his stats don’t necessarily scream Gold Glove. He’s had 3 Runs Saved and 1 Run Saved the last two seasons.

     Are the Nationals A Good Defensive Team?

    No. They’re great in one spot, maybe good in one or two other places, but not in enough spots to be a good defensive team just yet.

  • Are The Rangers A Good Defensive Team?

    Are The Rangers A Good Defensive Team?

    Photo: Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire

    Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

    2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 11th

    Team Strengths

    Marcus Semien has hovered around the top spot on the Runs Saved leaderboard at second base in each of the last four years. He’s never finished on top but he ranks 2nd at the position over the last four seasons.

    Year Rank
    2021 2nd
    2022 3rd
    2023 2nd
    2024 3rd

    Wyatt Langford came on strong at the end of the season to finish with 12 Runs Saved in left field, second-most at the position. Half of those runs were attributable to the lack of baserunner advancements on Langford. The only player with more last year was Jarren Duran (9).

    Jonah Heim has had 6, 8, 6, and 5 Runs Saved the last four seasons, and we’ll still list him here despite some concerns about his pitch framing and basestealing numbers (he threw out 12-of-110 attempting to steal). 

    Corey Seager’s not going to make a lot of dazzling plays but he’s been good the last two seasons, with 5 and 4 Runs Saved, respectively. One thing to watch with him: turning double plays. He’s had a below-average conversion rate in three of the last four years.

    Adolis Garcia’s arm gets a separate listing from his glove because its so good. His 20 Outfield Arm Runs Saved over the last four seasons are the most in MLB. He’s had at least 4 OF Arm Runs Saved in right field in each of those seasons.

    Team Weaknesses

    Adolis Garcia’s range was the worst its been last season and explains his -5 Runs Saved total overall. In particular, things went worse for Garcia on deep balls than they ever had before. Garcia has been dealing with an oblique injury this spring, which isn’t going to help matters.

    Other Things To Know

    Evan Carter will get the first crack in center field this year. He’s played 6 games there the last 2 seasons but looked pretty good in left field in the 2023 postseason and last year. Their primary center fielder last season, Leody Taveras, totaled -10 Runs Saved.

    Josh Jung was another player who looked great in the 2023 postseason but an injury limited him to 40 games at third base in 2024 and he finished with -3 Runs Saved.

    Jake Burger replaces Nathaniel Lowe at first base. That could be a downgrade, though Burger hasn’t fully established how good he’ll be just yet. He’s got less than a half-season of MLB sample size to work from.

    Are The Rangers A Good Defensive Team?

    Yes, they are. They could challenge for best in baseball if Carter and Jung are good at their spots in 2025.

  • Are The Astros A Good Defensive Team?

    Are The Astros A Good Defensive Team?

    Photo: Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire

    Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

    2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: T-19th

    Most Runs Saved at 1B, Last 4 Seasons

    Player Runs Saved
    Christian Walker 38
    Matt Olson 24
    Carlos Santana 23

    Team Strengths

    The Astros finished last in Defensive Runs Saved by first basemen last season. Christian Walker should change that, so long as he’s healthy. Walker has a terrific history of being an excellent defender, though he’s been sidelined this spring by an oblique injury. His 38 Runs Saved there over the last four seasons are the most at the position.

    Jeremy Peña’s best year in the last three was his rookie season but he’s been good enough the last two years to rank 3rd among shortstops in Runs Saved since the start of 2022. 

    Jake Meyers has a good body of work since his career began in 2021. Though he may not rank statistically among the best in baseball, he’s still pretty good. He’s tallied 4 and 6 Runs Saved in center field the last two seasons. His former mate in center, Chas McCormick, will replace Kyle Tucker in right field. He has 7 Runs Saved in roughly 650 career innings there.

    Team Weaknesses

    Jose Altuve moves to left field after a couple of years of declining defense at second base (-41 Runs Saved the last three seasons). He’s an unknown defensively heading into the year and we’d expect some challenges in adjusting to the new spot. 

    Other Things To Know

    Mauricio Dubon or Brendan Rodgers could end up as Altuve’s replacement at second base. Either seems like an upgrade in the field. Dubon, a superutility player the last few years, has a very good history at second base (12 Runs Saved in about a season’s worth of games there). In 2022 Rodgers led second basemen with 22 Runs Saved but injuries got him the next year. He’s totaled -2 and -4 Runs Saved there the last two years. 

    Yainer Diaz has rated as a below-average pitch framer the last two seasons, but his pitch blocking is solid. He grades out average overall by Runs Saved for his career.

    Are The Astros A Good Defensive Team?

    By signing Walker and moving Altuve off second base, the potential is there for the Astros to be a good defensive team. But Altuve can’t hurt them too much in left field and a capable replacement at second base would help their potential fortunes considerably.

  • Are The Tigers A Good Defensive Team?

    Are The Tigers A Good Defensive Team?

    Photo: Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire

    Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

    2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 5th

    Strengths

    Riley Greene won a Fielding Bible Award in left field, a position he was moved to with the emergence of rookie Parker Meadows. Greene led all left fielders in Runs Saved despite playing only 84 games there. 

    Meadows is another strength. He had 5 Runs Saved in center field in about a half-season’s worth of games. He’s currently dealing with a nerve issue in his arm that prevents him from throwing and will not be ready to go on Opening Day.

    Jake Rogers finished tied for 4th in Runs Saved among catchers. He ranked among the best pitch framers in baseball and is an impactful defender.

    There are also big expectations for shortstop Trey Sweeney, who saved 3 runs in 36 games there, and though he didn’t hit much, the Tigers went 23-10 in games he started.

    The team has good defenders but the positioning of those players was integral to the team’s success in 2024. Of their 50 Runs Saved, 33 were credited to the team for defensive positioning.

    Most Defensive Runs Saved

    Team Runs Saved Positioning Runs Saved
    Blue Jays 102 26
    Guardians 89 28
    Dodgers 66 51
    Brewers 64 12
    Tigers 50 33

    Weaknesses

    The Tigers have two dicey spots in their infield. Gleyber Torres totaled -11 Runs Saved at second base last year with the Yankees and -4 the year before that. Third base is also going to be interesting. 

    Jace Jung, brother of Rangers third baseman Josh Jung, had -6 Runs Saved in 27 games at third base in 2024, and figure to be the starter eventually. He’ll start the season in the minor leagues. For now with Matt Vierling also injured, FanGraphs lists Javier Báez, who has 8 Runs Saved in a little over 600 career innings there. Báez hasn’t played the position since 2019.

    Other Things To Know

    First base is a question mark because Spencer Torkelson hasn’t hit enough to warrant staying in the lineup. For now, it looks like the Tigers will take Colt Keith, who had a shaky start at second base last season before settling in, and play him at first base, where he’s never played as a professional. Seems a little risky.

    Are The Tigers A Good Defensive Team?

    Collectively at the end of last season, the Tigers were a very good defensive team that maximized the player’s skills with good positioning. This year’s team could be as good as that one, but it could be in for some rough patches, particularly in the infield.

  • Are The Twins A Good Defensive Team?

    Are The Twins A Good Defensive Team?

    Photo: Steven King/Icon Sportswire

    Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

    2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 25th

    Team Strengths

    How healthy is Byron Buxton and how many games will the Twins get out of him in center field?

    Last year he had 2 Runs Saved in 94 games there, a far cry from some of his past totals. Nonetheless, we’re keeping him here because of his reputation for excellence. The bigger issue for the Twins was when he didn’t play, they totaled -11 Runs Saved in center field.

    Player Runs Saved Innings
    Byron Buxton 2 767
    Others -11 673

    Christian Vazquez is a solid defensive catcher who will share time with Ryan Jeffers. Vazquez is typically a pretty good pitch framer. He rated average at pitch blocking and against stolen bases (a drop off past years in the latter). We’d have listed the Twins catching as a whole here, but Jeffers didn’t do well in pitch framing last year.. 

    Team Weaknesses

    Ty France used to be a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman, but the last two seasons. His -14 Runs Saved in that span ranked second-worst at the position. It’s odd to say it but there’s a notable drop-off going from Carlos Santana to him.

    Willi Castro is both a strength and a weakness. He’s someone who can play just about every position other than first base and catcher. The issue is that – third base notwithstanding- he doesn’t necessarily play them well (-9 Runs Saved at shortstop, -3 at second base in 2024). 

    Other Things To Know

    Carlos Correa used to be reliable for at least 10 Runs Saved a year but not anymore. He still makes very few mistakes but he’s not getting to balls like he used to, especially up the middle. He totaled -2 and -3 Runs Saved, the last two seasons, respectively.

    Brooks Lee is going to get a crack at second base this year. If he’s average there, that’s an upgrade. Edouard Julien has put in the effort to get better, but the numbers don’t bear it out. He has saved -3 and -6 Runs Saved at second base the last two seasons.

    The one potential for considerable improvement is left field, where newcomer Harrison Bader will make the move from center. Twins left fielders ranked 28th in Runs Saved last season. They’ll attempt to replace Max Kepler with Matt Wallner in right fielder. Wallner has -1 Runs Saved in a little less than 500 innings there.

    Are The Twins A Good Defensive Team?

    Not at the moment considering that they are largely running back last year’s roster and the dip at first base and gain in left field basically cancel themselves out.

  • Are the Royals A Good Defensive Team?

    Are the Royals A Good Defensive Team?

    Photo: Scott Grau/Icon Sportswire

    Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

    2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 7th

    Team Strengths

    Freddy Fermin is one of the best defensive catchers in baseball. He finished third at the position in Defensive Runs Saved despite ranking 31st in innings caught. His strengths were stopping basestealing and also pitch blocking. Royals pitchers had a 3.41 ERA when he caught, 4.06 when Salvador Perez caught.

    Name Runs Saved Innings
    Patrick Bailey 20 908
    Cal Raleigh 17 1,122
    Freddy Fermin 16 663
    Alejandro Kirk 13 766
    Jake Rogers 13 761

    The Royals also had the No. 1 pitching staff in Runs Saved in 2024, a testament to limiting baserunning and having good athletes who could make plays.

    Kyle Isbel is in the starting lineup for his defense. He did dip from 13 Runs Saved in 2023 to 5 in 2024 but he’s still a solid defender.

    Bobby Witt Jr. has turned things around in a big way. Runs Saved isn’t as high on him as other metrics, but he’s gone from -18 Runs Saved as a rookie shortstop in 2022 to 2 Runs Saved last season. He’s headed in a good direction.

    Team Weaknesses

    MJ Melendez’ played every day in left field last season as the Royals looked for a position that he could handle. It likely isn’t this one. He totaled -7 Runs Saved there last season.

    Perez improved his longstanding pitch framing weakness but he doesn’t throw out runners anywhere near the level of Fermin and finished with a negative Runs Saved total at catcher for the 4th straight year. He’s still likely to get most of the time at catcher but his best days may be behind him.

    Other things to consider

    The Royals had a combined 6 Runs Saved at second base last season, but most of that came from Adam Frazier, who signed with the Pirates. FanGraphs currently lists Michael Massey as the starter. He totaled 0 Runs Saved at second in 2024. 

    Jonathan India is currently listed as the main DH and for good reason. Over the last three seasons, he’s totaled -32 Runs Saved at second base, the second-worst total of anyone at the position.

    Are the Royals a good defensive team?

    Yes, particularly up the middle if Ferman is catching, pitchers included.

  • Are The Dodgers A Good Defensive Team?

    Are The Dodgers A Good Defensive Team?

    Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

    2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 3rd

    Team Strengths

    The biggest strength for the Dodgers isn’t necessarily a player but rather their defensive positioning. The Dodgers aggressively move both their infielders and outfielders and the payoff is that they give their players a better chance to make defensive plays. Last year 51 of their 66 Runs Saved came from positioning.

    The Dodgers’ best defensive player actually comes off the bench, shortstop Miguel Rojas. Over the last four seasons he leads all players at the position in Runs Saved, though he’ll be behind starting shortstop Mookie Betts.

    Another strength is the Dodgers’ multi-positional flexibility. Tommy Edman can play center field, second base, and shortstop and play them all well. Betts is capable at shortstop and has a great track record in right field. Rojas has at least 80 games of experience at each infield position. Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernandez can play anywhere on the field.

    Team Weaknesses

    If someone isn’t working out at a position, the Dodgers have the flexibility to move him off that spot pretty quickly. An exception is catcher where – after four straight seasons with a positive Runs Saved – Will Smith totaled -4 Runs Saved, rating below average in both strike getting and pitch blocking. The 2024 season was the first time since 2014 that the Dodgers catchers finished with a negative Runs Saved.

    However, it’s not all bad. Smith threw out 28% of baserunners trying to steal on him, one of the better rates in the majors. The alternative at catcher, Austin Barnes, is a good defender but allowed 48 steals against only 3 caught stealing last season.

    Other Things To Know

    The Dodgers will try Hye-Seong Kim, formerly of the KBO, at second base at some point this season. He’ll start the year in the minors. Kim’s defense, very good by KBO standards, translates to MLB average or thereabouts.

    Are The Dodgers A Good Defensive Team?

    Yes, though it’s more the product of their defensive system than it is the skill of their players. It works very well though, so it’s hard to argue with.

  • Are The Cubs A Good Defensive Team?

    Are The Cubs A Good Defensive Team?

    Photo: Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire

    Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

    2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 9th

    Strengths

    The Cubs have a lot of defensive strengths, arguably as many as any team in MLB.

    Pete Crow-Armstrong had an abundance of excellent defensive plays and throws in center field last year. He finished tied for 7th with 11 Runs Saved, contended for a Fielding Bible Award, and expectations are high for him in 2025.

    Dansby Swanson finished 2nd in the range component of Runs Saved among shortstops last season, one year after winning a Fielding Bible Award. 

    Swanson’s double play partner Nico Hoerner has been consistently above-average at second base. He’s averaged almost 9 Runs Saved per 1,000 innings there over the last four years.

    Ian Happ has won three straight Gold Gloves in left field, where he ranks second in Runs Saved to Steven Kwan since the start of 2022. Happ has ably braved the elements and frequently sacrificed his body to make good plays.

    Kyle Tucker comes over from Houston to play right field. Tucker has an MLB-best 30 Runs Saved there over the last four seasons, though a chunk of that is tied to an MLB-leading 7 home run robberies. Tucker goes from one of the easiest right fields to steal a home run in Minute Maid Park to a home park in which it’s impossible to rob a homer, Wrigley Field.

    Weaknesses

    Cubs pitchers finished with -9 Runs Saved and the worst range numbers of any pitching staff last season. Their catcher, Miguel Amaya, had good Runs Saved numbers overall. Most of that came from pitch blocking. He threw out 11 of 89 runners attempting to steal (12%).

    Other Things To Know

    A subtle but notable pickup for the Cubs this winter was utility man Jon Berti, who can play anywhere in the infield or outfield if needed (best position by Runs Saved is third base, worst is center field). He’ll be a useful fill-in.

    Matt Shaw’s development at third base is to be determined. Shaw projects as a 55 Overall Future Value on defense from FanGraphs, which praised his “enthusiastic understanding of defense.” Our numbers had him with -6 Runs Saved in the minors last season.

    Are The Cubs A Good Defensive Team?

    Yes and they could be as good as any team in the National League defensively. They should have an excellent outfield and a solid infield.

  • Are The White Sox A Good Defensive Team?

    Are The White Sox A Good Defensive Team?

    Photo: Larry Placido/Icon Sportswire

    Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good?

    To see the full series, click here.

    2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 30th

    Team Strengths

    The White Sox could  have a good defensive outfield.

    Michael A. Taylor had 12 Runs Saved in center field last year for the Pirates and topped that total in two of the three years prior to that. He’s an excellent defensive center fielder. He just needs to hit enough to get into the lineup.

    Most Defensive Runs Saved – Center Field

    Last 4 Seasons

    Player Runs Saved
    Michael A. Taylor 59
    Kevin Kiermaier 44
    Daulton Varsho 37

     Dominic Fletcher’s defense in right field was one of the brightest spots of a dismal season. He had 15 Good Fielding Plays and 10 Runs Saved in only 43 games there. For context, only one right fielder had more Good Fielding Plays than Fletcher did.

    Luis Robert Jr. was a good center fielder as recently as two years ago and even for a miserable team, he still managed 1 Run Saved in 97 games there last year. Similarly, Mike Tauchman has a good track record and can play all three spots.

    Team Weaknesses

    Left fielder Andrew Benintendi’s best days seem to be behind him. He had -13 Runs Saved last year, the worst total of anyone at the position. Benintendi is going to miss the start of the season with a fractured hand.

    Catcher Korey Lee had a rough go of it last season, tallying -10 Runs Saved there and fared particularly poorly in our pitch framing stat, Strike Zone Runs Saved. 

    The rest of what the White Sox have, with players like Andrew Vaughn and Miguel Vargas and Brandon Drury are mostly average at best from a statistical perspective.

    Other Things To Know

    The White Sox are probably going to eventually play a rookie at shortstop full-time in Colson Montgomery. In three seasons in the minors, he totaled -30 Runs Saved. FanGraphs gives him a Fielding grade of 30 with a Future Value of 40 on the 20 to 80 scale. That’s not great. For now, they’re gonna probably start Josh Rojas at shortstop. He had -13 Runs Saved in a short stint there in 2021 (though he’s not bad at third base). Not great either.

    Are The White Sox A Good Defensive Team? No, but given that their outfield should be much better than the -40 Runs Saved in 2024, they may not be as bad defensively as a team last season. But it’s still a long climb to just being average. 

  • Are the Rockies A Good Defensive Team?

    Are the Rockies A Good Defensive Team?

    Photo: Steven King/Icon Sportswire

    Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good?

    To see the full series, click here.

    2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 14th

    Team Strengths

    Defense is what the Rockies do best and that starts with three players: center fielder Brenton Doyle, third baseman Ryan McMahon, and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar.

    Doyle is the reigning Fielding Bible Award winner at his position. In his first two MLB seasons, he’s posted the two best defensive seasons by a Rockies center fielder since Runs Saved was first tracked in 2003. He covers a lot of ground and he can throw with a velocity in the high 90s.

    McMahon has four straight seasons of at least 10 Runs Saved at third base and finished in the top four in Runs Saved there in each of those seasons. Simply put, he’s an excellent defensive player.

    Tovar is one of baseball’s best defensive shortstops. He’s saved 12 and 10 runs respectively in his first two seasons as a full-time player.

    Defensive Runs Saved Leaders

    Shortstops – Last 2 Years Third Base – Last 4 Years
    1. Dansby Swanson 1. Ke’Bryan Hayes
    2. Ezequiel Tovar 2. Ryan McMahon
    3. Anthony Volpe 3. Matt Chapman

    Additionally, Michael Toglia put up good defensive numbers in his first year as a full-time first baseman. Toglia rated as pretty good at getting to balls hit in the ‘34’ hole and finished with 10 Runs Saved, which ranked 2nd at the position.

    Team Weaknesses

    The Rockies signed Thairo Estrada to play second base this offseason. By our measures, he hasn’t been great there in two of the last three years, with Runs Saved totals of -12, 1, and -7. 

    In 2021, we’d have listed catcher Jacob Stallings as a strength, but his numbers have faltered the last three seasons and look similar to Estrada’s (-9, 0, and -6).

    Other Things To Know

    Nolan Jones looks like he could be a regular starter in left field. Which Jones will the Rockies get? The one who had 8 Runs Saved there in 2023 or the one who had -4 in 2024? Jones has a high-value arm, but he’s got to find a way to get to more balls in Colorado’s spacious outfield.

    Are The Rockies A Good Defensive Team?

    Yes. It wouldn’t be a stretch for the Rockies to have three Gold Glove winners this season. They’re so good where they’re good that it makes up for any deficiencies elsewhere. Now, about the rest of the team …